King's Lynn and West Norfolk

King's Lynn and West Norfolk's population expanded in the 10 years leading up to the latest census. Data from the census also show there were changes in housing tenure, work life and health.

The population reached nearly 150,000

In the decade to 2011, the population of King's Lynn and West Norfolk increased by 8.9%, from about 135,000 to 147,000.

The addition of about 12,000 people means this area's population increased faster than the rate of growth across England (up 7.9% since the 2001 census).

In 2011, King's Lynn and West Norfolk was home to, on average, 0.74 people per football pitch-sized piece of land. This made it Eastof England's second-least densely-populated district.

Population density was lower than the average across Eastof England

Population density (usual residents per football pitch-sized piece of land) across Eastof England, March 2011 (larger dots represent greater increase since 2001)

An older King's Lynn and West Norfolk

Census 2011 data also show a change in the local population's average age.

Between the last two censuses, the median age of King's Lynn and West Norfolk increased by two years, from 43 to 45 years.

This remote area had a higher average age than Eastof England and remained older than the average local authority area across England (39 years of age).

The rise in age was because of an increase of about 4,800 people between the ages of 60 and 69 years, while the population between 30 and 39 years decreased by almost 3,000.

About 14% of people in King's Lynn and West Norfolk are aged between 60 and 69 years

Percentage of usual residents in England, East and King's Lynn and West Norfolk by 10 year age band, March 2001 and March 2011

More people cohabiting

The percentage of households in King's Lynn and West Norfolk, which comprised a cohabiting couple, increased from 7.8% to 11% in the 10 years leading up to 2011.

In 2011, just over one in four (27%) households had only one person, compared with 28% in 2001. The percentage of households in King's Lynn and West Norfolk, which comprised a married couple (with or without children), decreased from 39% to 35%.

The proportion of households with an unmarried couple increased faster here than in any other local authority district across Eastof England. The improvement brought health in King's Lynn and West Norfolk close to the national average 9.9% in England described their health as good in 2011).

The percentage of households with a cohabiting couple in King's Lynn and West Norfolk increased by 2.8 percentage points

Percentage of households in King's Lynn and West Norfolk, Eastof England and England that had an unmarried couple, March 2001 and March 2011

Change in unpaid care provision

King's Lynn and West Norfolk saw Eastof England's joint largest rise in the proportion of people providing 50 hours, or more, of weekly unpaid care, alongside Tendring.

In 2011, just under 1 in 30 (3.3%) in King's Lynn and West Norfolk reported providing at least 50 hours of unpaid care each week, compared with 2.5% in 2001. The percentage that provided between 20 and 49 hours of weekly unpaid care increased from 1.1% to 1.5%.

Every local authority area across Eastof England saw a rise in the proportion of people providing 50 hours, or more, of weekly unpaid care, as the regional average grew from 1.8% to 2.2%.

The proportion of people providing 50 hours, or more, of weekly unpaid care in King's Lynn and West Norfolk remained close to 3.3%

Percentage of usual residents in England, East and King's Lynn and West Norfolk by care, March 2001 and March 2011

Rise in considerably limiting disability

The percentage of King's Lynn and West Norfolk residents whose day-to-day activities are limited a lot by a long-term health problem or disability increased from 3.6% to 4.8% in the decade to 2011.

The proportion who reported being limited a little in their day-to-day activities remained close to 7.1%, while the percentage of King's Lynn and West Norfolk residents whose day-to-day activities are not limited by a long-term health problem or disability decreased from 89% to 88%.

The proportion of people who are considerably limited by a long-term health problem or disability increased at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of Eastof England (from 2.7% in 2001 to 3.4% in 2011). Across England, the proportion increased from 3.1% to 3.8%.

The proportion of people who are limited a lot by a long-term health problem or disability in King's Lynn and West Norfolk increased by 1.2 percentage points

Percentage of usual residents in King's Lynn and West Norfolk, Eastof England and England that reported being considerably limited in their day-to-day activities, March 2001 and March 2011

Rise in private renting

The percentage of privately rented homes increased in King's Lynn and West Norfolk, but at a slower rate than across England.

In King's Lynn and West Norfolk, the proportion of private renting increased from 10.0% in 2001 to 15% in 2011. During the same period, the

Across Eastof England, the share of privately rented homes increased from 8.6% to 15%.

The rate of social housing in King's Lynn and West Norfolk fell from 15% to 13%, while the rate of home ownership decreased from 71% to 69%.

Private renting in King's Lynn and West Norfolk increased by 4.8 percentage points

Percentage of households in King's Lynn and West Norfolk, Eastof England and England that rented privately, March 2001 and March 2011

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Area report data

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